Watchmaker&#39;s pliers.



Witn sse nventor', gwfl b No. 898,304. PATENTED SEPT. s, 1908. E. A. BARKER.

WATGHMAKERS. PLIERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19,1904

Rttornegs rue NORRIS PETERS cm. WASHINOTDN, nc.

EARL A. BARKER, OF BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA.

WATCHMAIGIRS PLIERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 8, 1908.

Application filed May 19, 1904. Serial No. 208,719.

To all whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, EARL A. BARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bemidji, in the county of Beltrami and. State of Minnesota, have mvented a new and useful Watchmakers Pliers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to watchmakers pliers for setting and removing jewels.

The objects of the invention are to simplify and improve the construction of such devices.

l/Vith these objects in view, the invention resides in the exact combination and arrangement of parts, and in the precise details of construction hereinafter described particularly with reference to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, wherein Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower jaw.

The improved. device of this invention comprises two jaws 1 and 2 which are pivoted together by means of a bolt 3 and formed with handles 4 and 5. Upon the upper surface of the jaw 2 is attached a plate 6 of brass or other similar metal possessing ualities calculated to prevent the soft meta bridge of a watch from becoming scratched or bent during the delicate operation of setting or removing a jewel. At its outer end, the jaw 2 is provided with two parallel arms 7 and 8 which preferably are integral with each other and with the jaw 2. If desired the arms 7 and 8 may be shaped in such manner as to leave an approximately semicircular or U-shaped space between them, as illustrated in the drawing. The brass plate 6 is shaped at its outer end in the same manner as the arms 7 and 8 so as to cover the upper surface thereof and yet provide the U-shaped space for use in removing jewels from watches, as will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The jaw 1 is bent upward, outward and downward, in goose neck form, as shown. In the downward projecting end of said jaw 1 is formed a socket which is designed to receive a removable punch 9 which preferably is held within the socket by friction. The size of the punch 9 depends upon the size of the jewel which is to be set or removed from the watch. If a comparatively large jewel is to be set, a comparatively large punch is used, and vice versa. It will be understood that the upper ends of all the punches, large and small, are of uniform size and designed frictionally to fit the socket in the bent jaw 1. By providiny a socket with a closed upper end in jaw 1 and by holding the punches frictionally therein, the device is simplified and the expense of manufacture greatly re duced.

The method of using the improved watchmakers tool will be apparent from the foregoing explanation and the accompanying illustration. In setting a jewel, the bridge or other portion of the watch in which the jewel is to be set is placed upon the brass plate 6 above the parallel arms 7 and 8 and the, jewel is pressed into its seat by means of the punch 9. If it be desired to remove a jewel, the bridge is reversed and the jewel is pressed from its seat in the manner described and permitted to drop between the arms 7 and 8. It will be observed that the improved tool is adapted either to set or remove the jewel without the troublesome adjustment and rearrangement of parts which are necessary upon some prior devices which are used for the same purpose as the improved pliers of this invention.

During the operation of setting or removing a jewel any liability of scratching or bending a soft metal bridge is effectually avoided by the use of the brass plate 6 upon the jaw 2 and arms 7 and 8. It is preferable also in practice to construct the punches 9 of brass.

In its exact combination and arrangement of parts and in its precise details of construction, the device of this invention presents an improvement over prior devices of a similar character.

The advantages of an implement constructed as shown are apparent and appreciated by artisans who follow jewel setting as an occupation. It is important that the force be applied to the jewel exactly at right angles to the plane of the cook or other part of a watch in which the jewel is in one case to be set or in the other case to be removed. With this implement the pressure is not applied to the jewel with any lateral tendency and, consequently, the jewel is forced squarely into its seat and is firmly impinged between the walls thereof and the ossibilities of cracking the jewel are reduce to a minimum.

Having thus fully described the invention,

what is claimed is A pair of pliers adapted to be used for jewel setting comprising jaws pivoted together, one of which is straight and flagelliform and devoid of lateral projections, and having a work supporting surface occupying a plane in radial alinement with the pivot, and being provided at its outer end with a semicircular recess having its semicircular wall dis osed at right angles to the plane of the wor: supporting surface, the other said jaw having a portion extending upward at a right angle to the radius of the pivot, then outward at a right angle to the first said portion, then downward parallel with the first said portion, the first said portion being greater in length than the last said portion, said downwardly extending portion being located opposite the recessed end of the first said jaw and having in its end a socket the center of which is alined directly opposite the center of the semicircular recess of the first said jaw, a straight punch held within the socket by frictional contact with the walls thereof, and the lower end of the downwardly extending portion of the upper jaw being spaced from the upper edge of the semicircular recess and the work supporting surface of the lower jaw when the said jaws are in closed position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aifixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EARL A. BARKER.

Witnesses:

OsoAR E. ERWIG, ARTHUR B. FLATNER. 

